In a groundbreaking move for Pakistan's cricketing world, Catherine Dalton has been announced as the new Fast Bowling Coach for Multan Sultans, ahead of 9th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Dalton's appointment marks a historic moment, as she becomes the first woman to hold a coaching position in a top-level men's cricket team, defying stereotypes and setting new milestones in the realm of sports.
Hailing from a rich background in cricket, the former Ireland international player boasts a Level 3 Advanced Coach certification from the England Cricket Board (ECB).
Coaching experience
Her impressive coaching resume includes stints at the National Fast Bowling Academy in the United Kingdom, the Rajasthan Cricket Association in India, and the Ultimate Pace Foundation, also in India.
Currently, Dalton is actively engaged with Multan Sultans' youth academy in Lodhran, where she has been nurturing young talent and imparting her years of fast bowling coaching expertise.
Her promotion to the senior men's team is a testament to her unwavering commitment to the sport.
Catherine expresses enthusiasm
Speaking about her groundbreaking appointment, Catherine Dalton expressed her enthusiasm, saying, "I am excited about this on multiple levels.The opportunity to work with such talented players is fantastic. I will be re-engaging with many I have worked with before. Above this, though, is the fact that as a female taking a major role in a men's franchise, the news is truly groundbreaking."
She added that "To be the first female fast bowling coach in men's cricket is very humbling. In the 9 years since the PSL started, it has grown in both stature and size. I firmly believe the PSL has the best local fast bowling attacks in it compared to any other league, and the standard of cricket being played is fantastic."
Ali Tareen lauds Dalton's contribution
Multan Sultans' CEO, Ali Khan Tareen, lauded Catherine Dalton's contributions to the youth academies, saying, "Catherine's work for Multan Sultans' youth academies speaks for itself, and we're all looking forward to her bringing those skills to the main team.
In this process, we also want to establish new role models for young girls, those who succeed not only on the pitch as athletes but also in the boardroom as leaders and in the academies as coaches."
